Apparatus for treating thread



Oct. 30, 1956 A. S. BROWN ET AL AARATUS FOR TREATING THREAD Filed Dec. 16, 1949 TIaZ.

3 Sheets-Sheet v:l

BY W/u/AM Kimm/v.

Oct. 30, 1956 Filed Dec. 16, 1949 A. S. BROWN ETAL APPARATUS FOR TREATIG THREAD 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORj A4 Feen 6. Brow/v. By #VALL/Aw;v KEENAN.

ATTORNEY Oct. 30, 1956l IA. s. BROWN ETAL 2,768,519

APPARATUS FOR TREATING THREAD Filed nec. 1e, 1949 ...s sheets-sheet s INVENTOR ALF/esa /Panw. By WMA/AM KiP/ww.

ATTOR N EY APPARATUS FOR TREATING THREAD Alfred S. Brown, Hamilton, and William Kernan, Utica, N. Y., assignors to Skenandoa Rayon Corporation, Utica, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 16', 1949, Serial No. 133,407

3 Claims. (Cl. 68-189) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating cakes of synthetic fibers, such as rayon, with uids under pressure. More particularly it deals with a method and apparatus wherein the treating fluid is forced under pressure through the cakes from the inside to the outside while the top and bottom ends of the cakes are sealed against the passage of fluid by engaging against sealing surfaces, the treating iluid being introduced through an aperture provided in one of said surfaces.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus by means of which a number of cakes of synthetic fibers undergoing treatment with fluid simultaneously can be sealed at their ends by means of members held in sealing position by the force exerted by a uid such as a gas or a liquid.

A further object is to provide an apparatus composed of a series of units or stations, each completely equipped for the uid treatment of cakes brought in groups or batches to such units or stations on -suitable conveying means, at which stations the cakes are suitably sealed by a member actuated by uid pressure, treated with fluid under pressure, and passed on, likewise in groups, to subsequent similar stations for further fluid treatment.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus embodying a plurality of iluid treatment stations of the type aforesaid wherein the devices used for sealing the cakes with the aid of fluid-exerted force do not advance with the cakes but remain at the stations as components of the latter, the arrangement being such as to permit subjecting the batches of cakes to diiferent sealing forces at the various stations if desired.

Another object is to provide an apparatus wherein the sealing force required may be applied to the cakes irrespective of any axial expansion or contraction which they may undergo.

Another and still further object is to provide a novel fluid-actuated means adapted to exert a uniform sealing force over a given group or batch of cakes.

In the production of synthetic fibers, especially rayon yarn made by the pot spinning method, the yarn or thread is obtained in the form of so-called cakes which must be subjected to a number of treatments such as washing, desulfurizing, bleaching, etc. Such treatments are carried out by forcing fluids such as liquids, gases, air, or vapors through the cakes. Cakes of thi-s type may be processed without the use of any core, spool, sleeve or other arrangements for supporting them internally. Prior to subjecting the cakes to fluid treatment it is customary to wrap them in a yieldable fabric covering, usually referred to in the art as a stocking or stockingette. Cakes of this kind, thus wrapped, are then placed in the apparatus in which the fluid treatment is to be elfected.

In `order to pass a uid such as a liquid under pressure through the body of the cakes it is necessary that sealing members be applied to theends of the cakes. During the series of uid treatments, the cakes may swell nited States Patent Patented Oct. 30, 1956 or de-swell axially, and it may be desirable to use different iluid pressures for the different treatments. Because of these variable factors the position of the sealing members and the force exerted on them should be capable of being varied from treatment to treatment and sometimes even during the individual treatments.

ln all of the known prior art devices the sealing members used remain in contact with the same group of cakes during the entire series of treatments, no means being provided for adjusting the sealing member as conditions within the cakes vary during the treatments. Devices are known in which the top and bottom sealing members are maintained a lixed distance apart. Such devices are unsatisfactory because the sealing members cannot follow the cakes as they tend to de-swell or swell axially. lf the cakes de-swell, such fixed members may not maintain an effective seal, while if there is a tendency for the cakes to swell, such xed members do not permit the cake to swell so as to develop its maximum porosity. In certain prior art arrangements the sealing members are held in sealing position by means of springs, but the latter are unsatisfactory because they exert an increasing force on the sealing members as the cakes swell axially and a decreasing force as the cakes de-swell axially. Various attempts have also been made to use flexible gasket seals. Such seals, however, usually have essentially the same defects as springs, i. e., they exert a diminishing force as the cakes de-swell axially and an increasing force a-s the cakes swell axially. Also, being made of rubber, they tend to harden as they age. The most effective uid treatment can be obtained only if the required sealing force is maintained as the cakes swell and de-swell.

In other prior art arrangements the sealing members are held against the cakes by means of carefully adjusted weights placed on the sealing members. Such arrangements are unsatisfactory because the balance between the downwardly and the upwardly acting forces is easily upset if conditions vary during the treatments. Arrangements are also known in which the sealing is effected by means of a gasket which is brought into sealing po sition by the pressure of the fluid per se used for effecting the treatment. Such sealing devices are unsatisfactory because constructional problems make it difficult to obtain an effective sealing force against the pressure of the treating fluid inasmuch as the sealing force is provided by the treating fluid itself.

In accordance with the present invention the sealing of the cakes during the fluid treatment thereof is effected in a manner which eliminates the drawbacks of the prior art as recited above. In this invention an end seal on the cakes is maintained by the action of a force exerted against the end sealing member by a flexible bag-like or bellows-like structure which is expanded by a iiuid under pressure. The invention also contemplates moving -a sealing member such as a plate against cakes reposing on support-s as well as moving the cakes bodily against sealing plates or the like.

In the apparatus of this invention, a number of individual treating units or stations are associated so that a batch of cakes can pass from one station to another to receive the various treatments, the sealing means being embodied as components of the individual treating stations and not advancing with the batches of cakes from station to station.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, where:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a machine composed of ya series of liquid treatment stations with cake-laden cars at the stations.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the machine corresponding to Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the machine taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a top view of a car on which the cakes are treated.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the car shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 represents a sectional elevation of the car taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on an enlarged scale taken on line 7--7' of Fig. 2 showing a portion of the fluid-actuated cake sealing means.

Fig. S is a top view of the expansible actuating member of the sealing means.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9--9 of the member shown in Fig. 8.

The method and apparatus ofthe present invention wiil be described by reference to a preferred embodiment thereof.

This description will cover, rst, the Huid-actuated scaling means, secondly a single luid treatment station, thirdly a series of such treatment stations, and, lastly, a complete machine.

The arrangement used for sealing the cakes comprises a plate 5 which reposes on the tops of the cakes. Cooperating with this plate is an expansible member 1 constituted, in the preferred embodiment, as a rubber bag of substantially rectangular shape as shown in operative position in l, 3. and 7 and separately as a top View in Fig. 8 and in cross section in Fig. 9. The bag is positioned beneath a fixed backing plate 4 in the machine so that when the bag is intiated as hereinafter described, one iiat horizontal side thereof will bear against the fixed backing plate 4 whereas the other flat horizontal side of the bag will force the plate 5 against the tops of the cakes. While a substantially rectangular rubber bag of the type shown in Fig. 9 represents a suitable and preferred embodiment for the actuating portion of the top sealing means, it is apparent that a bellows-like member (not shown) can also be used. The plate 5 which is applied to the tops of the cakes may also be arranged as a permanent component of the bag as by being vulcanized to one side, i. e., the lower side thereof, and the bag may also be formed as an integral component of the backing plate 4. lf a bellows-like expansible member is used the folds of the bellows, constituted of metal, rubber or the like, or a combination of both, would form the vertical sides connecting the at horizontal sides. In the preferred embodiment the cakes, after being brought to the treatment station, remain stationary on a vehicle or car, as hereinafter described, while the sealing plate S is being applied to the tops of the cakes by iniiating the bag 1. However, the reverse procedure may also be used, that is, the bag-like member 1 may be carried by a car or vehicle and arranged to serve, when deflated, as a support for the cakes and, when inflated, as a means for raising the cakes bodily and forcing their top ends against a top sealing plate similar to the plate S.

The expansible or inatable bag l or the like is provided with suitable fittings for admitting a i'luid, such as air under pressure, to expand the same and for releasing the operating iluid to deflate the bag. In the embodiment shown, such fittings are generally represented by 2 and 3 in Fig. 9. However, the fittings 2 and 3 may also be connected to or constitute part of a manifold or header (not shown) provided with suitable valves for controlling the inlet and outlet of fluid from the bag, bellows or other expansible member used. Assuming that a rubber bag 1 of the type shown in Figs. 3, 7, and 9 is to be used for exerting a downwardly directed sealing force on a number or cakes simultaneously, the bag, bearing against the fixed backing plate 4 cannot move separately. The plate 5, however, which serves to seal the top ends of the cakes, will be forced against the latter when tiuid under pressure, e. g., air,.is admitted into the bag and the latter expands. The movement of the plate 5 as it moves into sealing position amounts usually to about one or two inches. However, in some cases, particularly when alkaline liquids are used for treating the cakes, the latter swell so rapidly as to produce a liquid seal between the sealing plate and the tops of the cakes even if the plate is separated from the cakes by as much as one-eighth of an inch. if the plate were to bc applied tightly against thc cakes at the outset, in such cases, the sealing pressure exerted on the cakes would become excessive when augmented by the force exerted by the swelling of the cakes. For this reason suitably placed adjustable abutments 7 are provided for limiting the movement of the plate 5. Moreover, by suitably controlling the iiuid pressure applied to the bag, any desired sealing force may be exerted against the cakes. When the sealing plate 5 is to be retracted from engagement with the cakes 6, the bag 1 is detiatcd by opening it to the atmosphere and allowing the operating tiuid, e. g., air, to escape, as by manipulation of valves (not shown) associated with the fittings 2, 3 and the manifold or header mentioned above. The compression spring 9 causes the plate 5 to rise from the top ends of the cakes 5, thus forcing the iiuid out of the bag 1 and deflatiug it. One rubber bag may be employed for acting on a plate S intended to seal a number of cakes, or several of such bags may be used to act on a single plate. The tir/.cd backing 4 for the bag i which prevents the upward movement thereof is preferably constituted as a heavy grid-like structure known commonly as subway grating, or the like, as shown in section in Figs. 3 and 7. A thin metal plate (not shown) may also be piaceri between the subway grating and the bag to protect the latter from the rough surface of the grating. Such plate may also be constituted as an integral component of the bag as by being vulcanized thereto or formed as a side thereof. The sealing plate 5 which bears on the cakes 6 is preferably of a thickness suiiicient to prevent deformation thereof even when no liquid under pressure is present within the cakes to partly counterbalance the forces exerted by the bag. In the `particular embodiment shown, the plate 5, when not formed as a component of the bag and carried thereby, is carried by a rod 10 (Figs. 3 aud 7). A compression spring 9 bearing against one end of the rod 10 through suitable retaining means 11 and against a suitable support such as the subway grating 4 above mentioned, or members carrying the same, moves the plate 5 upwardly and deiates the bag when the latter is opened to the atmosphere. lf the inliatable member or bag is at the bottom and serves as a support for the cakes, deliation of said member or bag will of course lower the cakes and discharge their tops from the sealing plate 5. When the plate 5 is being forced into sealing contact with the tops of the cakes 6 by the expansion or intiation of the bag, only a small amount of the force exerted by the inllated bag is required for overcoming the compressive force of the springs 9.

A treatment station of the present invention consists of a fluid-actuated top sealing means such described above and a conveying means in the form of a vehicle or car that cooperates therewith as described below and which is intended for bringing a batch of cakes to the station for treatment. It also comprises supply lines for the treating liquid, drip pans for collecting the treating liquids which have passed through the cakes. and lines to carry off these used treating liquids to the sewer or to storage tanks from which the used treating liquids may be withdrawn for reuse, after adiusting their composition, if necessary.

Each ear, indicated generally by the numeral i2 in Figs. l and 2 and shown in greater detail in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, consists of a flat chassis 13 mounted on wheels i4 running on a track 1S. The chassis i3 carries a suitable number of cake-sealing plates 16. These sealing plates when intended for the treatment of wrapped or laced cakes are provided with raised portions or embossings 17 constituting sealing rings e. g. preferably of closed geometric shape which, when forced into the bottoms of the cables, serve to compact the material thereof locally so as to prevent the formation of radial leakage channel-like passages in the cakes in the portion of the latter that contact with the plates. In the case of unwrapped cakes or cakes which are to be subjected to low pressure treatments the embossings or sealing rings may be omitted.

Positioning lugs 18 are disposed at the periphery of each plate 16 to insure correct positioning of the cakes on the sealing rings. l Y

The plates 16 are preferably mounted in side-by-side spaced relation on the car. In the embodiment illustrated, twelve plates are shown on the cars indicated in Fig. 2, although any suitable number may be used. The plates 16 have central openings 19 through which treating liquid is admitted to the hollow interior of the cakes reposing thereon. The liquid is supplied to the plates by means of piping 2f) so arranged on the car as to reinforce and strengthen the body of the latter as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6.

The method of practising the invention will now be described as applied to a batch of cakes disposed on cars as described above. The cakes are placed on the sealing plates on the cars, with the bottom end of said cakes in contact with the sealing rings or embossings on the plates. The cars are then moved into proper position beneath the fluid-actuated top sealing plate hereinbefore described, whereupon the piping on the cars which supplies treating fluid to the individual cakes is connected with a source of treating fluid. This is effected by means of flanges 21 at the ends of the cars, adapted to be coupled with corresponding lflanges of the treating fluid supply pipe lines (not shown).

The expansible member such as the rubber bag 1 described above is thereupon inflated, preferably with air, thus forcing the cover plate 5, into sealing contact with the tops of the cakes 6. The cover plate S may be a plane surface intended to bear against the tops of the cakes or it may be provided with embossed raised portions similar to those provided on the cars 12.

Treating fluid is then admitted into the cakes through the piping system mentioned above and caused to pass through them. The treating fluid should be introduced slowly in order to avoid damaging the cakes by a too sudden rush thereof into the hollow interiors of the cakes. The various operations involved in the treatment are carried out in proper sequence and timed relation by means of automatic devices. The pressure exerted by the bag 1 on the cakes 6 in this manner should be of sufficient magnitude, rst, to overcome the compressive action of the plate-retracting spring 9, as discussed above, secondly, to offset the force exerted by the treating fluid under pressure which is to be passed through the cakes, and, lastly to apply sufficient pressurek tothe cakes 6to effect a satisfactory seal. This seal is effected at the two ends of the cakes. In the embodiment shown it is effected at the top by forcing the sealing plate 5 down on the cake 6 by means of the inflated bag 1 and at the bottom it is effected by forcing the cake 6 against the embossed sealing plate i6. During the compression of the cake by the action of the bag, this sealing ring 17 is forced into the material of the cake in the manner above described and prevents the formation ofradial leakage channels in the cake in the zone where the end of the cake contacts with the plate. The sealing force obtained, both at the tops and the bottoms of the cakes, is uniform over the entire batch because the fluid-actuated bag exerts a force that is uniformly distributed over the entire plate.

The treating fluids passed through the cakes may consist of liquids, gases or vapors. In any case, such fluid under pressure is caused to pass through the cakes from the inside to the outside until the desired treating eiiect is., obtained. The supply of fluid is then shut off, the flange 21 disconnected, the cover or top sealing plate raised,

andany fluid, e. g. liquid, present in the cakes 6 and pipe line 20 allowed to drain o. The raising of the top sealing plate is of course effected by opening the bag 1` to the atmosphere as by means of the fittings 2, 3 and by the action of the springs 9.

The cars with the cakes are then moved away from the station and new batches of cakes on similar cars are moved into the station and treated in the same way.

As shown in Figs. l and 2, a series of such stations may be placed side by side with rails extending through them so that the cakes, carried on cars 12 as described above, may be subjected to the various treatments required at the successive stations. Such treatments may, for example, comprise washing, desulfurizing, bleaching, and finishing. It may also be desired to treat the cakes with air or suitable gases, as in certain air-extraction processes. Suitable automatic devices may be used to control thetiming of the operations at the individual stations and the sequence of such operations. The cars can be advanced from station to station by any suitable means such as automatically actuated hydraulic rams (not shown).

As indicated in Figs. l, 2 and 3, the top sealing means or cover assemblies remain associated with the various treatment stations and do not advance with the cakes. The conditions within the' cakes often vary as they pass from station to station. For example, the cakes may expand or contract axially, or it may be desirable to use different treating fluid pressures at the different stations. Despite these varying conditions, the cover should press firmly against the cakes to maintain an effective seal even though the cakes may be contracting axially. On the other hand, if the cakes are expanding axially, the cover or sealing plate 5 should float over the cakes so as to permit them to develop the maximum possible porosity, while still maintaining an effective seal. The sealing means or cover' assemblies at the various individual stations may be adjusted to maintain the desired balance of forces despite the station to station variations. Uniform forces can be applied to the covers so as to produce effective sealing even when high treating liquid pressures are used at the various stations.

As shown in Figs. l and 2, a complete apparatus will consist of a suitable number of the above described treating stations arranged so that the cars 12 can pass from one station to another for the required treatments. The tracks 15 on which the cars 12 are moved forward extend a short distance beyond the first and the last treatment stations. At the one end of this extended track, indicated by 22 in Figs. 1 and 2, cars' loaded with cakes await introduction into the machine, while at the other end of the extended track, indicated by 23, the cars await unloading of the treated cakes. At each end of the track there is an elevator 24 to move the cars to and from a lower track extending under the entire apparatus, along which track the cars are returned to the loading end of,

the apparatus to be reloaded with cakes to be treated. The direction of movement of the cars 12 through the machine and in correlation with the elevators 24 is indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1.

It is obvious that the details of the apparatus and method herein disclosed may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although the cakes are shown in the drawing as being treated in single layers, the advantages of the apparatus and method may be realized also by arranging the cakes in vertical stacks for treatment. In such case, of course, suitable sealing means should be provided between the cakes.

In the arrangement herein described the cake sealing means may be regarded as the permanent component of a stationary treating station to which the cakes are brought in batches. This applies even if the sealing plate 5 wereto be placed over the top ends of the cakes prior to their arrival at the station. It is the application of force to such a sealing plateexerted in the form of aveas'ta pressure by the bag 1 or its equivalent, at the station, that constitutes the sealing operation. Such sealing plate may be integrally associated with its actuating means, i. e. the bag, bellows or the like, or may be used separately, and, conversely, the cake or a number of cakes may even be moved bodily and into sealing relation with a plate of this type while at the station, in which case the plate would be stationary. The expansible bag 1 while preferably made of rubber may also be made of a suitable synthetic plastic material and such material may also be used if the expansible member 1 is constituted as a bellows.

The term cake as used herein refers to any hollow package of yarn, thread, or the like, of unwrapped, laced, or wrapped type. While primarily intended for cakes devoid of flexible supporting inserts, sleeves, and the like, the Imethod is applicable for treating certain types of supported cakes providing that the flexible inserts or sleeves used do not interfere with the method used for sealing the ends as hereinabove disclosed.

The term fluid as used herein is intended to mean a liquid, gas, or vapor. In the usual treatment of cakes of synthetic yarn or thread such as rayon and the like, a liquid will ordinarily be used in the various treatment stages, but the use of a gas such as air, or a vapor such as steam may also be desirable. The method is also suitable for passing dye liquids and the like through cakes of already manufactured yarn, thread, and the like.

The fluid pressure utilized in the sealing operation is of a controllably variable nature in that it can be readily adjusted to the nature of the cakes undergoing treatment, and this controllably variable fluid pressure can be controlled independently of the pressure exerted by the treating fluid that is forced through the cakes.

What is claimed is:

l. In an apparatus for the simultaneous treatment of a plurality of hollow yarn packages with fluid under pressure, a package sealing means comprising a flexible bag provided with means for the admission and release of an inflating fluid, fixed means to restrict the movement of said bag in one direction, a sealing member associated with and moved by said bag into sealing contact with at least one end of said yarn packages when the bag is inflated and means adapted to retract said sealing means from contact with the end of said packages upon deflation of said bag.

2. An apparatus for the treatment of a plurality of hollow substantially flat-ended yarn packages with fluid under pressure, comprising a conveyance for the aforesaid ilat-ended yarn packages, a package sealing means contprising a flexible bag provided with means for the admission and release of an inilating fluid, fixed means disposed above said bag to prevent the upward movement thereof, a package sealing surface placed below and in contact with said bag and adapted to be moved into sealing contact with at least one end of said yarn packages on said conveyance when said bag is inflated under fluid pressure, means adapted to retract said sealing surface from contact with said yarn packages and to deflate the bag when said latter is opened to the atmosphere and means on said conveyance for passing fluid through said yarn packages.

3. Apparatus for the simultaneous treatment of a plurality of hollow substantially flat-ended yarn packages with liquid under pressure, comprising a conveyance for the aforesaid flat-ended yarn packages, a package sealing means comprising a flexible bag provided with means for thc admission and release of an inflating gas, fixed means disposed above said bag to prevent the upward movement thereof, a package sealing surface placed below l0 and in contact with said bag and adapted to be moved into sealing contact with at least one end of said yarn packages on said conveyance when said bag is inflated by gas under pressure, a spring to retract said sealing surface from contact with said yarn packages and to deflate said bag when the latter is opened to the atmosphere and means on said conveyance for passing treating liquid through said yarn packages.

4. An apparatus for the simultaneous treatment with various fluids under pressure of a number of hollow substantially flat-ended yarn packages, comprising conveyances for carrying the aforesaid yarn packages, a series of treatment stations for treating said yarn packages, package loading and unloading stations at the ends of said series of treatment stations, each of said treatment stations being provided with a fluid-actuated sealing means adapted to be applied to said packages, means associated with each of said treating stations for forcing a treating liquid under pressure through said yarn packages whie engaged by said sealing means, a track running through all of said stations along which said conveyances are moved from station to station for the successive treatment of said yarn packages, said track extending beyond the first and last treatment stations to said package loading and unloading stations, a second track below said first track, means for moving said conveyances from said first track to said second track upon being unloaded and means for returning said conveyances to their loading position in front of said first treating station.

5. ln an apparatus for the simultaneous treatment of a plurality of hollow yarn packages with fluid under pressure, a package sealing means comprising a flexible bag provided with means for the admission and release of an inflating fluid, a fixed frame to restrict the movement of said bag positioned on one side of said bag` a sealing plate on the other side of said bag and adapted to be moved by said bag into sealing contact with one end of said yarn packages when said bag is inflated and means adapted to retract said sealing plate from contact with the end of said packages upon deflation of said bag.

6. ln an apparatus for the simultaneous treatment of a plurality of hollow yarn packages with fluid under pressure, a package sling means comprising a flexible nag provided with means for the admission and release of an inflating fluid, a fixed frame to restrict the movement of said bag positioned on one side of said bag, a sealing plate on the other side of said bag and adapted to be moved by said bag into sealing contact with one end of said yarn packages when said bag is inflated, a plurality of members for supporting Said sealing plate,

springs secured to said sealing plate and said supporting members to retract said sealing plate from contact with the end of said packages upon deflation of said bag.

'l'. in an apparatus for the simultaneous treatment of a plurality of hollow yarn packages with fluid under pressure, a tray for supporting a plurality of hollow yarn packages thereon in upright position, means for supplying treating fluid into said hollow packages, package sealing means comprising .a flexible bag provided with means for the admission and release of an inflating fluid, fixed means to restrict the movement of said bag in one direction, a common sealing surface corresponding to the area of the yarn packages disposed there-beneath and movable into contact with the top ends of said yarn packa` upon inflation of said flexible bag, and means for retracting said sealing surface from contact with the end of said packages upon deflation of said bag.

S. in an apparatus for the simultaneous treatment of a plurality of hollow yarn packages with fluid under pressure, tray, a plurality of plates on said tray, cach of said plates being of a size slightly larger than the bottom of' one of the aforesaid yarn packages, means for centering said packages on said plates, means projectirtg through each of said plates for supplying treating fluid into thc hollow packages positioned on said plates, a package scaling means comprising a flexible bag provided with means for the admission and rel-:ase of an intting fluid, fixed means to restrict the movement of said bag in one direction, a common sealing surface corresponding to the area of the packages disposed therebeneath and movable into contact with the top ends of said yarn packages upon ination of said exible bag and means for retracting said sealing surface from contact with the end of said packages upon deaton of said bag.

1,304,863 Dudley May 27, 1919 10 Dudley July 22, 1919 McKenzie May 24, 1927 Huttinger May 17, 1932 Herrmann Ian. 9, 1934 Laird Sept. 7, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS France Oct. 4, 1922 

